Johnson NE, Quinn C, Eastwood E, Tawil R, Heatwole CR. Patient-identified disease burden in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
Muscle Nerve 2013;
46:951-3. [PMID:
23225386 DOI:
10.1002/mus.23529]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The multitude of symptoms associated with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) disease burden are of varying importance. The extent of these symptoms and their cumulative effect on the FSHD population is unknown.
METHODS
We conducted interviews with adult FSHD patients to identify which symptoms have the greatest effect on their lives. Each interview was recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a qualitative framework technique, triangulation, and a three-investigator consensus approach.
RESULTS
One thousand three hundred seventy-five quotes were obtained through 20 patient interviews. Two hundred fifty-one symptoms of importance were identified representing 14 themes of FSHD disease burden. Symptoms associated with mobility impairment, activity limitation, and social role limitation were most frequently mentioned by participants.
CONCLUSIONS
There are multiple themes and symptoms, some previously underrecognized, that play a key role in FSHD disease burden.
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